The trailer market remained in stay afloat mode last month with a seasonal uptick in orders and muted cancellation levels, ACT Research reported Friday in its State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers report.
In addition to the strong seasonal order uptake from September, the company says last month’s cancellation rate as a percentage of the backlog was lessened compared to September, but cancellations are still occurring at higher levels in specific segments.
“October’s trailer cancellation rate, as a percentage of backlog, was a more subdued 1.3% versus last month’s overstated 5.6%,” says Jennifer McNealy, director, CV market research and publications at ACT Research. “Data continued to show elevated cancellations in reefer and tank segments. The largest level of cancels came from the tank segments, attributed to a decline in oil/gas activity, in general.”
[RELATED: Trailer orders experience needed seasonal surge in October]
McNealy says with higher build rates, lower backlogs and two more production days in October, the backlog-to-build ratio remained at 3.3 months for the second straight month in October.
“October’s build rate and the current backlog commit the industry into mid-first quarter of 2026. Overall, backlog remains at rock-bottom levels with the new year’s order boards opening,” she says.
